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spend more fixing Manitowoc B150, buy used Ice-o-matic U150, or ...?

I've been a lurker in this forum for years, and appreciate
all the info that you folks have provided.
I own/operate a restaurant and maintain all the equipment.
My Manitowoc B150 has been my continuing nemesis.
It came with the restaurant when we bought it nine years ago.
It was poorly maintained before that - no filter - furry condensor -
bent fins - missing and loose slats, and lime, on evaporator - pink and black
slime - the whole works. I've been keeping it clean
and replacing parts as necessary, but lately I've been beaten.
It makes ice, but the harvest is slow, and tripping the
#2 safety limit. After trying all the tricks I've learned over
the years, but I can't get it to reliably harvest. I even
called in my HVAC guy. He evacuated and recharged it.
That didn't help. In reading the manual, and various
postings, my guess is that either the hot gas valve is
constricted (but not completely - it does harvest - just
not quickly enough - and its hot on its output), or someone
suggested the refrigerant lines can disconnect from the back
of the evaporator.

So, my problem in the cost of paying my HVAC guy to keep
trying to fix it versus replacing it. It looks like replacing the
HGV would be a $$$ job, and I'm not sure that's the problem.

I can't afford a new unit, but have a line on an Ice-o-matic
U150 for $$$$. I haven't seen it yet, but the owner claims
its just a couple of years old and in good condition. I was
planning to check it out today, and was doing some reading
today on Ice-o-matic, and see a lot of negative opinions.

Another option is just to hang in there buying ice until
I can find another undercounter Manitowoc. At least
I understand how they work, and the opinion of them
here seems better, but I doubt I could get a good used
one for less than $800, if that.

I'd sure appreciate any advice on either my B150
problem, or which way I should go.

Does it take a long time to make ice too? For the age I'd say it's a weak compressor. Have you tried blocking the condenser to raise the discharge temp just to get it to drop ice? Buy a new one and it will pay for itself in utilities you've been waisting on that old machine. A 3 yr old IOM is about time for a replacement lol but that sounds like a good deal. They are not as easy to tinker with like your mani though Would worry about it being a money pit honestly.
FWIW they run a thicker ice bridge than the Mani so you will need a nice sturdy metal ice scoop and a strong forearm

Thanks. It makes ice ok at the present. Generally when that takes too long, cleaning the condenser fixes it for me.
I can try blocking the condenser to see if it impacts the harvest time.
Would that confirm what exactly was wrong?
I get your point about the utilities cost, but I just can't afford $$$$ for a new machine - even $$$ is a hardship.

Steve

Originally Posted by itsiceman

Does it take a long time to make ice too? For the age I'd say it's a weak compressor. Have you tried blocking the condenser to raise the discharge temp just to get it to drop ice? Buy a new one and it will pay for itself in utilities you've been waisting on that old machine. A 3 yr old IOM is about time for a replacement lol but that sounds like a good deal. They are not as easy to tinker with like your mani though Would worry about it being a money pit honestly.
FWIW they run a thicker ice bridge than the Mani so you will need a nice sturdy metal ice scoop and a strong forearm

HGV not opening all the way would be a rare find HGV leaking by more common. Almost always a weak compressor on a B under counter. FWIW the ones with a wore out compressor are usually undersized and run 24/7 but yours is old as far as ice machines go so its just time IMO.

This.
I'd also make certain that your "HVAC guy" understands ice machines. They can be fussy.

That's why I maintain the ice machine myself, except for repairs to the refrigeration system.
I've not come across an ice machine expert in my area.
Btw, I realize I'm treading on the DIY ban here, but I'm not intending to fix this problem myself.
I just want to avoid the cost of service calls on a lost cause. Ca-ching.
Its hard enough making a profit in the restaurant biz.
An unproductive service call costs me several days profit.
I'm trying to increase the probability of success of that service call.

What I'm hearing so far is that I should replace the machine.
At this point, after 8 years, I think I could evaluate a Manitowoc,
and certainly would prefer to get one from a dealer with a guarantee.
I have my feelers out but no luck so far.
The Ice-o-matic is from a restaurant going out of business, and its
cheap, but I'm getting nervous about going that route. I might not be
able to evaluate it effectively, and then there are all those negative
opinions here.

Manitowoc has some financing options available on their web site. The new indiago units have a lot of things you can check and read out to help diagnose in the future after the three year parts and labor is over.

Avoid a new Indigo till they've worked the bugs out, most Manitowoc undercounters are pretty reliable, just beware that they like to bust the bottom evaporator moldings and our distributor has told us we can't get just the molding anymore- have to buy a whole kit with all new moldings